The Facts
In the United States someone dies in a fire about every 2 hours and someone is injured every 29 minutes.   

In 2002, 520 children ages 14 and under died from fire and burn injuries.

In 2003, 83,300 children ages 14 and under were treated in hospital emergency rooms for fire and burn injuries.

Children 4 and under are at the greatest risk.

Background
Burns are among the most painful injuries a person can get. Young children are at very high risk for burns. Children have thinner skin than adults and their skin burns at lower temperatures.  Young children are also not always aware of the dangers of fire and burns. They have less control of their environment and may not know how to escape a life-threatening fire or burn situation.

How You Can Keep Your Child Secure

• Do not leave children alone around open flames, stoves or candles.
• Keep matches, gasoline, lighters, and other flammable materials locked up and out of the reach of children.
• Teach children a fire escape plan for your home and practice it.
• Remind children to stay low/close to the floor to stay below smoke and to avoid touching doorknobs that may be hot.
• Teach children how to call 9-1-1 in case of an emergency like a fire.
• Install smoke alarms on every level in your home and in every sleeping area.
• Test smoke alarms once a month.
• Replace the batteries at least twice a year.
• Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
• Before bathing children in heated water, always run your open hand through the water or use a bath thermometer to check its temperature. Set the hot water heater at no more than 120 degrees.
• Keep hot foods and liquids away from counter and table edges. Never carry children and hot foods or liquids at the same time.
• Make sure that children, and things in your home are kept a safe distance from heat sources – such as stoves, heaters, and fireplaces (Also remember to use screens/other safety devices around fireplaces)
• Teach children that clothes cannot protect them from fire and what to do if their clothes catch on fire. STOP! DROP! ROLL!
• Obtain window stickers from the fire department so that firefighters know that there is a child in that room.

Stay Informed
The National Fire Protection Association
Safe Kids USA
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission

For more health and safety advice, consult your local children’s hospital. For a national listing go to www.childrenshospitals.net/hospitalprofiles

Safety information found on the Get on Board with Child Safety! website is provided by the Get on Board with Child Safety! partner hospitals.

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